The BEST Day Hikes In Sequoia National Park
Sequoia National Park is a glimpse at the scale this world is capable of. Trees as big as buildings, views that stretch to the horizon, and mountains that kiss the clouds. And the best day hikes in Sequoia National Park take you through the absolute best of them all.
Giant trees may sound like a mundane experience, but when you witness these behemoths in person, you realize how expansive the world really is. But this park is much more than perspective altering trees, it’s an area full of outdoor exploration. Hikes that travel along rocky cliffs to an overlook spot that rivals anywhere in the world. Trails that show the full circle of life as you travel through forgotten forests of scorched tree trunks caught in past wildfires. Even the Big Trees Museum can make for a fun activity to explore.
This place highlights the amazing outdoor adventures found throughout California, and the best day hikes in Sequoia National Park are an unforgettable way to experience them.
Continue reading to see all of the BEST DAY HIKES IN SEQUOIA NATIONAL PARK!
1.) General Sherman Trail
Difficulty: 1
Distance: 1.2-miles loop trail
Parking lot on site
Sequoia National Park is a place where trees stand as big as buildings, and while all are gigantic, none are as impressive as General Sherman. Known as one of the largest trees in the world, this behemoth is a must when it comes to the best day hikes in Sequoia National Park.
WHAT TO EXPECT
– A flat, very easy trail
– Hike through a forest of skyscraping trees
– Plaques and signs showing information on the trees and the park
– Path traveling through a fallen tree, creating a cool tunnel
Pro Tip- Being the main attraction of the park, it can get crowded, so try to hit this spot first before the crowds show up.
2.) Congress Trail
Difficulty: 2
Distance: 3-miles loop trail
Parking lot on site
Looking for a trail full of towering giants but with more of a secluded feeling? Congress Trail is just the hike. This trail allows you to admire these one of a kind titans in an up close and peaceful setting unlike any other.
WHAT TO EXPECT
– Home of the group of massive trees known as The Senate
– A true forest feeling
– Plenty of great photo spots along the way
– The hike begins right off the General Sherman trail
Pro Tip- This trail makes for the perfect hike after traveling through the General Sherman trail.
3.) Moro Rock Trail
Difficulty: 6
Distance: 0.5-miles total out and back
Small parking lot on site
Moro Rock is very different from the rest of the best day hikes in Sequoia National Park, but that’s what makes it so incredible. Instead of wading through seas of towering trees, you take to the clouds on this mini rock mountain perched on a cliffside. While the precarious stone staircase may frighten some from taking on this trail, the miles of full 360 views make it all well worth it.
WHAT TO EXPECT
– A steady incline the entire hike
– A very narrow path leading up the rock
– The best views in the park
– Many vantage points along the way
Pro Tip- If you have trouble with tight spaces and extreme heights, this trail might not be for you.
4.) Big Trees Trail
Difficulty: 1
Distance: 1.3-miles loop trail
Small parking lot on site
Beginning next to the Big Tree Museum, the Big Trees Trail is exactly as it sounds. Filled with giant after giant, all scattered among a calm wetlands area. From the vibrant moss working its way up the trees to fallen trunks showing the full circle of life, this hike shows you everything about the mighty Sequoia Trees.
WHAT TO EXPECT
– A flat and easy trail
– Areas to walk inside of fallen tree trunks
– Large watery clearings among the forest
– One of the best trails for massive trees, one after another
Pro Tip- This trail is perfect for capturing the true scale and beauty of these massive marvels!
5.) Tokopah Falls Trail
Difficulty: 3
Distance: 4-miles total out and back
Large parking lot on site
The Tokopah Falls Trail is a wonderful walk through the woods that shows you a different side of the national park. Follow a rushing river upstream as you are treated to thick forests coming face to face with sheer skyscraping rock cliffs and snow covered peaks. Serenity, untamed wilderness, and resemblances of the incredible beauty of the Dolomites, Tokopah Falls is a Sequoia National Park day hike that can’t be missed.
WHAT TO EXPECT
– A true outdoor hike across multiple terrains
– You can still find pockets of snow even into summer
– A smooth maintained trail
– Large waterfall at the end of the hike
Pro Tip- There are large rocks you can climb down to at the waterfall for better, more picturesque views.
6.) Hume Lake
Difficulty: 1
Distance: 2.6-miles loop trail
Multiple parking lots on site
A watery oasis among the forested mountains. Still and open waters surrounded by mountain peaks and towering trees sounds perfect, right? Well, that’s Hume Lake. A place that oozes tranquility, where you can witness fresh nature, people fishing and enjoying the inviting water, and secluded spots that make you feel like you have the whole park to yourself. Almost like a hidden gem of the park, it’s no wonder this lake is considered the sequoia spot for sublime serenity.
WHAT TO EXPECT
– The most relaxing hike in the park
– Follow along the whole surroundings of the lake
– Many places perfect for gazing out across the water
– Few people on this often overlooked trail
Pro Tip- Come during sunset for sights you will remember forever!
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